Wednesday, January 28, 2015

American Sniper review

I have decided to make sure that my facebook wanderings primarily incite the positive in my life. For this reason I don't click on the links, or take part in the arguments. Most of my posts are of my children for the sake of my loved ones. However sometimes a facebook craze is so persistent and baffling that the debater in me cannot help but to take up the torch in an attempt to bring clarity and perspective to the far swinging pendulum of the "Right and Wrong". I should also add the disclaimer that this post is directed at self proclaimed Christians. Those that claim to strive for a Christ like existence, as it is with these people that I am most baffled concerning this particular topic. I am not going to waste my time looking at this movie from a "parental advisory" perspective. Even though I would hope that at least 70 F*** words, torturing children with screwdrivers, and scenes with severed limbs (content courtesy of IMDB) would be enough to deter most Christians, I do understand that many people are calloused to such graphic language and images.Therefore I will move on to the truly morally damming message that is being exulted by the reverence and respect of Chris Kyle's life. Without having to read the book, or watch the movie there is one glaringly simple fact that should be ringing though Christendom and is instead being stifled by the overwhelming "hoohaa" of bastardized patriotism. This fact is so glaring that you can read it without even turning a page. "AMERICAN SNIPER. The autobiography of the MOST LETHAL SNIPER in U.S. military history." Interestingly enough I typed that title EXACTLY as it was written without adding my own capitalization to emphasize the most infamous part. To cut to the chase. Why exactly are Christians praising the works of a man that are the antithesis of the Christ they claim to devote their life to? In Jesus's own words..."43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Matt 5How then do we justify brandishing the deaths of a countries enemies with all the grotesque pride of a warrior wearing his trophies of severed body parts? As Christians we are not called to praise the murder tally of our earthly residence. We are called to win souls and save lives for our heavenly home. There was a time in my life when I was a thief, lair, adulterer, and murderer with all the potential of evil that is expressed in any radical terrorist, murderous dictator, or cereal killer. And even in my utter filth God reached down His hand to me, washed me, renewed me, and change my very spirit to one that would be compatible with His beauty. Knowing this about myself how could I willingly deny that chance to another human being by supporting this deplorable example of lives sacrificed? We should weep for every life lost in the pitiful conflicts of this broken world. Just as Christ cried though the blood choked gasps of his last few breaths... "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."

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About Me

After much examination and contemplation, and in slight rebellion to my often trivial wanderings on Facebook, I have decided to start a blog. I will no longer be frustrated by a 430 word count. Indeed it is time that my thoughts, discoveries, and creations be placed on an appropriate canvas. My hope is that in reading this your day will be added to. Whether that addition is joy, interest, revelation, or inspiration is up to you. So I bid you Good Reading